On July 11th, 2026, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina passed away from a sudden, unexpected illness. While the news came as a shock to both his supporters and opposers – most had assumed the next obituary would be that of Senator Mitch McConnell who had been admitted to the hospital nearly a month earlier and hadn’t been heard from since – Graham’s death caused a number of issues surrounding his current and future position in the U.S. Senate.

Graham’s Current Senate Term

Under the U.S. Constitution’s 17th Amendment, states may authorize their governor to appoint a temporary replacement in the event of the vacancy of a Senate seat, such as in the case of Graham’s death.

Just two days after Graham’s death, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, as Graham’s replacement. Nordone will finish her brother’s term, serving in the position until January.

Since her appointment, many have been asking who Nordone is and how qualified, if at all, she is for the position.

Although Graham and Nordone are separated in age by nine years, the two have been close their entire lives. After their parents passed away just over a year from each other when Graham was 22 and Nordone was 13, Graham became Nordone’s legal guardian, later adopting her after he became an Air Force military lawyer to ensure she would receive his military benefits.

When Graham ran for President in 2016, he joked that since he had never married, Nordone would be his first lady. Nordone has been a large part of Graham’s political career, helping him file candidacy paperwork for elections and appearing in campaign ads in support of her brother.

However, as much as she has participated in Graham’s political career, she has never personally held elected office.

While she has spent time helping her brother with his political career, Nordone’s main career path has been centered around disability services and workforce development. She holds a number of degrees in the field, including a bachelor’s in sociology, a master’s in rehabilitation counseling, and a certification as a public manager. She’s held positions at Clemson University, the state employment department, the South Carolina Commission for the Blind, and the South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department. She currently serves on the South Carolina State Workforce Board and is president-elect of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind.

Nordone has yet to show any signs of using her time in the Senate to work toward goals that align with her previous career, simply saying she is looking forward to continuing her brother’s legacy.

“It is such a privilege to get to finish some of his important work,” she said. “And I promise to work hard over the next several months to support the president and carry forward the efforts of my brother on behalf of the citizens of South Carolina and the United States.” 

What Happens in South Carolina’s November General Election?

Before his death, Graham had announced plans to run for a fifth term as South Carolina’s Senator and had even won the Republican nomination after the primaries in June. He would have run against Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the November general election for the seat.

Due to his death, a special primary election will now be held in South Carolina to find a new Republican nominee before November.

Under South Carolina laws Section 7-11-55, which outlines the policies for special elections, candidate filing opens the second Tuesday after the vacancy opens – in this case, July 21st – and remains open for one week. Two weeks after the filing closes the election is held. If one candidate receives a majority vote, they will replace Graham as the Republican nominee for Senate and run against Dr. Andrews in November. If no candidate receives a majority in the special election, a runoff election will be held two weeks after that.

With the filing period not opening for another couple of days, there’s no official way to know who will be running in the special election. Businessman Mark Lynch, who lost the Republican Senate primary to Graham in June has confirmed his plans to run again. Other possible contenders include current South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, U.S. Representatives Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, Russell Fry, and Trey Gowdy, and current South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.

“Ahead of the filing period, no candidate begins as a clear favorite among voters to replace the late Senator,” Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a statement. 

However, the course of the election may not be decided by each candidate’s individual beliefs and ability to do the job, but by an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Trump has yet to make an endorsement, though he has shown some favor to potential candidates. After Graham’s death, Trump recommended Nordone for Graham’s replacement, a recommendation that has since played out in his favor.

During a visit to the White House shortly after her swearing-in, Trump also reportedly encouraged Nordone to pursue a full term in office in the special election.

“During her visit, I asked Darline, for the Good of our Nation, to run for the U.S. Senate,” he wrote on Truth Social. “I hope Darline does this, in that there would be nobody better to honor the legacy of her beloved brother, Lindsey.” 

Trump has also shown support for Representative Russell Fry.

“I think Russell Fry, a young congressman, is outstanding and that could happen,” Trump said. “I could see that happening. I think he’s a very talented person.” 

Although one seat may not seem like that big of a deal, whoever sits in it can be extremely influential in the decisions made by the Senate. No matter which party you may affiliate yourself with, it is vital you vote in your state’s November election, and if you are a South Carolina citizen, vote in the upcoming special election as well.